The sixth edition of the Academic career planning and leadership course (ACLA) is now open for applicants (deadline 15.8.2025 at 15:00). This course is targeted to post-doctoral researchers who are launching their independent researcher career and are thinking about building their own research group.
We will discuss career planning and trajectories, strategic mapping of research horizons, funding opportunities/challenges, building and leading a research group, project management, social impact issues and publication strategies, data management and research ethics.
Read more about experiences from the course from previous years.
Approximately 15-20 participants will be enrolled, representing a wide disciplinary range of social sciences and humanities, across all faculties of the City Centre Campus.
The course will convene in six sessions (Fridays: 10-15) over the academic year.
Workshop days are: October 3, November 7, December 5, February 6, March 6, and April 10.
Participants should make sure that they are able to commit to these dates.
For early May (2026) we are planning an excursion to Brussels to learn about European science policy and funding opportunities.
To apply fill in this form: https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/135689/lomake.html
You will need:
- a short CV
- list of 5 of your recent publications
- (one page) abstract of your ongoing research project
- short application letter, letting us know what kind of questions and challenges you think you need support and help with.
- Deadline for applications: August 15, 2025 15:00.
- Admission results by the end of August.
The course coordinators are Risto Kunelius, Pekka Mäkelä and Kirsi Pyhältö.
Inquiries: risto.kunelius@helsinki.fi or pekka.a.makela@helsinki.fi